Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 741,006. PATENTE-D 00T. a,-19o3-. E. R. ANGBLL.

AGETYLBNE GAS GENBRATUR.

APPLICATION FILED OUT` 23,1898.

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NITED! STATES atented October 13, 1903.

PATENT Orricn.

ACETYLEN E-GAS GEN ERATOR.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 741,006, dated October13, 1903. Application filed October 23. 1899. Serial No. 734,596. (Nomodel.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDMUND R. ANGELI., of Derry, in the county otRockingham and State of New Hampshire, have invented a new and ImprovedAcetylene-Gas Apparatus, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description.

My inventionrelates to an improvement in acetylene-gas apparatus of thatclass in which water is admitted in limited quantities to an excess 0Ecarbid.

My invention comprises a novel form of valve which acts upon theprinciple of a trap or seal containing mercury and located in thewater-feeding pipe, said trap having a plunger operatingautomatically bythe genera-V tion of gas to displace a suiiicient amount of mercury tocause a rise in its level, whereby the feeding of the water is cut oft'.

My invention also comprises certain novel features of construction,which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part ofthis specification,

in which the figure is an elevation of my rie-' vice, thenpper partbeing in section.

My device is used in connection with a gasometer Vof ordinaryconstruction consisting of an outer tank B and a bell B', movabletherein, the outer tank being supplied with Water to form a water seal.This gasometer moves within a framework A, which supports the mechanismof the device. The gas is introduced to the gasometer through the pipeC, extending upward from its bottom, and is conducted from thegasom'eter by a similar pipe C. The generator is secured alongside otthe gasometer and is supplied with water from the tank G, located abovethe generator. The generator consists of a tank E, formed of twocylinders E' and E2, one placed within the othei` and both secured attheir lower ends to a common bottom, thus forming an annular spacebetween them adapted to receive water to form n Water seal. The cover ofthis generator consists of a plate D, which has a depending iiange. D',adapted to enter the annular space between the two cylindrical portionsE' and E2 ol' the generator. The cover and generator-tank are secured toeach other by means of a clamp e.

Within the generator is placed a receiver orvessel E3, which receivesthe carbid. By

removing this vessel the residue left after the carbid has beendecomposed may be quickly removed.

The coverD may be xedly secured to the supporting-frameAbyany convenientmeans. A pipe F, leads from the coverD and conveys the gas away asgenerated.. This pipe F is connected to a vertical pipe F', whichextends both above and below the generator, and at its lower end thepipe F' connects with the ipe C, through which. the gas is conducted tothe gri-someter. Between the generator and the gasorneter a valve f isplaced within the pipe F. A second or water-supply pipe G2 is connectedwith the cover D of the generator. This `pipe discharges outside of thecylindrical flange D', so that the water for generating gas passesthrough the seal, thus insuring the integrity ofthe water seal, so thatit is not lowered by evaporation.

The inner cylinder E2 has a small hole through one side near its upperend, and a short tube e is inserted therein. A short 'tube e2 isprovided, which is adapted to slip over the inner projecting portion ofthe tube e', and thus to convey the water to the center of-thecarbid-holder E3. The tube e is short enough to permit of thecarbid-holder being inserted in the generator when the tube e2 isremoved. By these means the water for the generation of gas passesthrough thewater seal and insures the seal being kept supplied withwater.

The pipe G2 leads to the water-reservoir G and has a trap g formedtherein by extending the pipe downward in a loop. To the lower portionof this pipe a pipe H is connected,so as to form a second trap g' at alower level than the trap g. These tra-ps and the lower portions of thepipes connected therewith have a quantity of mercury (Hg) placed thereinin such quantity that it fails to close the trap g entirely except whena portion of the mercury has been displaced by a plunger used for thatpurpose. This plunger H enters the open upper end of the pipe H, andwhen it is dropped downward, so as to displace aportion of the mercuryin the pipe H, the level of the mercury in the two branches of the pipeG2 is raised, so as to close entirely the trap g and prevent the waterfrom the tank G running IOO upon the frame A.

into the generator. Vhen the plunger H' is raised clear of the mercuryin the pipe H, the level of the mercury within the pipes H and G2 drops,so that the trap g is open, and the water is permitted to iiow into thegenerator. The plunger H' is connected by a chain H2 with thegasometer-bell B', the chain passing over guide-pulleys a and ct',supported upon a cross-bar A', attached to the upper end of the frame A.

The water reservoir or tank G is filled through a pipe G', which entersthe tank from the bottom and extends upward to a point above the top ofthe tank and has a flared upper end. A seal is thus formed to preventthe possibility of the gas blowing off through the pipe G', and at thesame time the pipe acts as a filling-pipe.

A blow-oit pipe J' is attached to the upper end of the tank or reservoirG and connects with a pipe J, which is conducted to any convenientpoint, so that the gas whichescapes therefrom will do no damage.

The pipe F', which conveys the gas from the generator to the gasometer,extends upward and is connected with pipes forming two traps I and I',similar in their construction to the traps g and g' previously describedand also containing mercury (Hg.) The pipe 7L, which corresponds infunction with the pipe II, previously described, has a plunger 7L',connect-ed by a chain 7c with a lever K, pivoted upon the framework Aand having one end extending to a point where it will be engaged eitherby the gasometer or by an object connected with the gasometer-bell, soas to be raised when the gasometer-bell reaches a certain point in itsupward travel. When the plunger h' is thus raised, the seal in the trapI is broken, and the gas is permitted to escape from the pipe F into thepipe .I and is conveyed to a point where it is harmless. This preventsan excess of pressure in the gasometer-bell, which would cause the gasto blow out from around the bottom of the same and escape where it woulddo damage. The valve f, which is placed within the pipe F' between thegenerator and gasometer, has an arm f' projecting beneath the generator,so that the generator cannot be opened for recharging without, closingthe valve. This prevents the possibility of opening the generator, whileit has free connection with the gasometer. The arm f' is also connected,by means of a chain f2,with the lever K, by which the blow-oft valve isoperated, said chain passing over a guide-pulley f3, supported Vhen thegenerator is opened for recharging, the valvef is closed and at the sametime the blow-off is opened. This permits the gas which occupies thatportion of the pipe F' above the valve fand also the gas which iscontained within the generator lo escape freely into the outer air, andthus prevents its escape into the room which contains the generator.Italso admits of the ingress of air, so that the generator 'describedcan be lowered from its waterseal more easily than would otherwise bethe case.

The supply-pipe C and the discharge-pipe C' of the gasometer areconnected beneath the gasometer by a common pipe L, whichis located somedistance below the bond in the supply and discharge pipes. The pipe Lhas an upwardly-extending branch L',whose open end constitutes anoverflow, and it (the pipe L) and the lower ends of the pipes C and C'are lled with water, forminga drip or Water seal through which Watercondensed in the pipes may be conveyed away. f

An additional blow-od or safety device is provided in the shape of thepipe M, which is connected with one of the pipes of the drip justdescribed. This connection is a little below the connection ot' the pipeC with the pipe F'. In the pipe M is a globe or chamber M'. When thepressure in the gasometer becomes sufficient to lower the level of thewater in the drip and permit the gas to reach the pipe M, the gas willblow through the water in the globe M' and escape through the upper endof the pipe M, which connects with the blow-off pipe J. Vhen thepressure falls, the seal will be restored.

The mercury-valve described is one which is very reliable in itsoperation, and as itincludes no moving parts except the plunger I-I' andthe mercury it is impossible for it to become clogged by rusting or byany ordinary means. It is also extremely sensitive in its adjustment andwill close the valve quickly upon a rise of pressure. It will thusoperate to maintain a constant pressure in the gasometer.

It is obvious that the construction of the valve may be variedconsiderably from that The principle ot the valve is to have a mercuryseal, the level ot' the mercury being caused to rise and fall by theinsertion or withdrawal of a plunger, said plunger being controlled bythe rise and fall of the pressure of gas. I do not, therefore, wish tobe limited to the exact construction herein shown.

Having thus fullyT described my invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patentl. In acetylene-gas generators, the combinationof a generator adapted to contain carbid, a water-tank above thegenerator, and a gasometer connected with the generator, with a valvefor controlling the admission of water to the generator, comprising twoconnected upwardly-extending pipe-sections communieating respectivelywith the water-tank and the generator, a third pipe-section connectingwith the bottom of the others by a trap or seal and open to the air atits top, said pipes being adapted to receive mercury to form a seal, anda plunger within the third pipe and connected with the gasometer-bell torise and fall therewith, substantially as described.

2. A water-feed valve comprising'a water- IOO IIO

'zenoce conveying pipe having a trap or downward` bend therein, acontrolling-pipe connected to the bottom of the above trap by a secondtrap, mercury in said pipes sufficient normally to close the lower trapand partially to close the upper trap, and a plunger in thecontrollingpipe, adapted to enter the mercury and raise its level so asto close both traps, substantially as described.

3. A water-feed valve, comprising a trap formed in a water-conveyingpipe, a chamber connected to the bottom thereof, a plunger adapted toenter said chamber, said chamber and trap having mercury thereinsufcient to seal the trap when the plunger is in, and to open it whenthe plunger is out, and means for automatically operating the plunger,substantially as described. Y

4. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of a generator, afixed cover for the same, means by which the tank is compelled to movein a deli nite path when separated from the cover, a gas-conveying pipeleading from the generator, a valve therein haviug'a handle projectingbeneath the generator-tank and into the path of movement of said tank,whereby when the tank is separated from the cover, the valve is closed,a blow-off valve connected with the gas-conveying pipe, and connectionsbetween the said valves whereby when one of the valves is closed theother is.

opened, substantially as described.

5. A liquid seal or trap for gas-pipes having a supply of sealing liquidinsufficient of itself to form a complete seal, and a plunger adapted toenter the liquid and raise its level to close the seal, and means forautomatically controlling the position of said plunger, substantially asdescribed.

6. Aliquid seal or trap for gas-pipes having a supply of sealing liquidinsucientof itself to form a complete seal, and a plunger adapted toenter the liquid and raise its level to close the seal, substantially asdescribed.

'7. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of Va generatorcomprising a tank having au outer and an inner wall adapted to receivewater between them, a fixed cover having a depending flange extendinginto the space between the walls of the tank, whereby the tank iscompelled to move in a definite path when separated from the cover, agasccnveying pipe leading from the generatorcover, and a valve in saidpipe having a handle projecting beneath the generator-tank whereby whenthe tank is separated from the cover, the valve is closed by engagementwith the tank, substantially as described.

8. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of a vessel having anouter and an inner wall forming a water seal, the inner Wall having anopening near its top, a removable tube leading from said opening toconvey the water to the center-,of the inner chamber, a removablecarbid-holder adapted to be inserted in the central chamber, a cover forthe generator having a depending flange adapted to enter the water seal,and a waterfeed pipe discharging through the cover into the waterspaceoutside of the depending flange of the cover, whereby the` water forgenerating gas Apasses through the seal, substantially as set forth.

9. An acetylene-gas apparatus, comprising a generator, a gas dischargepipe leading therefrom, a valve in the discharge-pipe, a blow-off pipeconnected with the dischargepipe, a liquid seal or trap connected withthe blow-off pipe, a plunger adapted to break the liquid seal to permitthe gas to escape, and connections between the valve in thedischarge-pipe and the said plunger whereby when the valve is closed theplunger is operated to break the liquid seal and permit the gas toescape through the blow-off pipe, substantially as set forth.

10. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of a generatoradapted to contain carbid, a gasometer connected with the generator, awater-conveying pipe leading to the generator, a trap or liquid seal insaid pipe and a plunger adapted to raise the level of the liquid toclose the seal, the said plunger being connected with the gasometer-bellto rise and fall therewith, substantially as described.

11. In an acetylene-gas apparatus a waterfeed pipe provided with a traphaving a mercury seal, and a plunger operated to cause a 'rise or fallin the level of the mercury to control the feeding of the water, thesaid plunger being actuated by the rise and fall of the pressure of thegenerated gas, substantially as described.

l2. In an acetylene-gas lgenerator, the combination of agenerator-chamber, composed of a vessel having an inner partitionforming -a water seal about its open end, and provided withr an overllowinto the central or carbidholding chamber, with a cover for thegenerator having a flange entering the water seal, and a water-feed pipedischarging through the cover-Harige, whereby the Water for generationof gas passes through the seal.

18. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the com- Ion IIC

bination of a generator, a gasometer, a gasconveying pipe leading fromthe generator to the gasometer, a blow-od pipe connected with thegas-conveying pipe, a liquid seal or trap connected with the saidblow-off pipe, a plunger adapted -to break the liquid seal to permit thegas to escape and means for operating said plunger by the movement ofIthe gasometer-bell substantially as described.

la. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, the combination of a generator, acover for the same, means by which -the parts are compelled to movev ina certain path when separated, a gas-conveying pipe leading from thegenerator, a valve in said pipe arranged to be closed bythe movement ofthe generator parts when separated, ablow-off pipe conliqud seal andpermit the gas tov escape nected with the gas-conveying pipe, a liquidthrough theblow-off pipe, substantially as de- 1 a Seal 0r trapeonnectedwith the blow-off pipe, scribed.

a plunger adapted to break the liquid seal to permit the gas to escape,and connections be- EDMUND R' ANGELI" tween the valve in thegas-conveying pipe and Vitmesses:

the said plunger, whereby when the valve is EDWIN H. HALL,

closed the plunger is operated to break the OARMI A. NORTON.

